Just had my first transmission failure at 60K miles, and it has really thrown my plans into a flux. I had planned to keep this car for a long time. I had planned a custom body kit installation and S/C this spring, but now I feel like I have no faith in the company or the car.

My car is in the shop right now and I am seriously considering selling it with the new transmission in it. The dealer assured me that I would be getting a NEW transmission not a rebuilt one. Just not sure how long the replacement will last.

Has anyone had problems with a replacement new transmission?

Has anyone retired their CLS after transmission problems (dumb question) and what did you go to? I did a quick check on prices and it looks like I will take a bath on selling the CLS. Another oprion I guess is trying to find a 6 speed... at least that way I can recover the price of the mods by moving them over.

Any ideas?

 

my tranny went out same miles as yours and 10 mins later the 2nd tranny went out. dont get me wrong, cls are nice cars, but it is just not reliable at all... it seems that you have invested a lot in your car and since this is the case i would purchase 6 speed. as for me i am in process in selling my car and getting a lexus. best wishes.

 

Yup... I caught your earlier post, and I think that 10 minutes is a record. It is really good to chat with other guys who are struggling with the same issues. I just don't know what to get next. Thanks for your comments! So far I favour the 350Z as a replacement, but who knows... I will certainly be keeping my eyes open for a new ride that not only fun to drive, but dependable.

Do you think that Toyota is more dependable? The service manager at the Acura dealership previously worked at Nissan and he said that they are even worse than Acura for reliability.

 

Good choice!

 

After tranny #2 dumped (30K miles after the first one), I decided enough was enough. Given the 80K miles on the car, I didn't want to worry about the tranny after the warranty expired. So ... I sold the car and bought an Accord. Not as sporty of course but it is what the budget allowed. I love the car but miss my CL and wish I could have driven it another 80K miles ... but not with the tranny worries.

Good luck with your decision.

 

Rex... I think that this is a good choice... a friend of mine bought an 04 last year and I was surprised how quick it was. I am not all that keen on the body style compared to the the CLS... I like the back end but not the front... and the side profile is pretty plain. What is it that you find not as sporty? Is it the look or the performance?

I wonder if there is any chance that my CT headers would fit the accord V6... I'd hate to let all my mods go with the car.

 

Honda's were effected by the transmission problems too. I know the 03' Accord was ....sooooooooooooooo ???????

 

Damn... that narrows my options somewhat. Maybe a stick is the way to go. The 6 speed Accord are tough to get though and never at a deal.

How are the new TL's does anyone know?

 

Had a close look at G35 coupe yesterday... It looks like a nice option as a replacement. What I notice is that it is really easy to get into. I tend to sit a little closer to the wheel and I find the cl is difficult to get into if th seat is not back... you always hit the bolster. The Infinity sales guy said that the door actually ipens wider on the G35.

I loved the smooth door closure on the Infinity... the window actually moves down a little when you open the door and then sucks back up after you close the door. This allows for a much lighter touch when closing the door... very clever. The 05's also have power tilt and telecope on the wheel... and the whole gauge cluster moves so your visibility is never obscured.

HP out of the box is pretty impressive as well... almost 300 with the 6 speed.

Does anyone have any experience with the G35's?

 

my firend has the 04 g35 coupe auto with navi. i must admit the exhaust note on the g35 is just awesome!! i love the handling of the car. i think the new 05's are pretty sweet due to increase in the hp 280 to 298. I think g35 is a great replacement for our cl's.

 

I suggest you stay with a real Japanese auto maker like Honda, Toyota, Mazda, or Mitsubishi. French automaker Renault SA owns 44.4 percent of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., a controlling interest. Nissan's CEO, Carlos Ghosn, came from French Renault. Nothing Japanese sounding in that French name. Finally, I would never trust anything owned or made by the French! Funny how the French have never been successful with their own auto brands, so they try hiding behind an old Japanese brand.

 

Toyotas are so much more reliable than honda/acura. I had a lexus for 7 yr with out one single problem verse my acura. I was kind of aprehensive about getting the acura be cause every person I know who has owned both has always gone back to or has said toyotas a much better cars. And now i see why. I am going to be selling my car in a couple of months because of the tranny issue. I am lookng at a g35 coupe or maybe a vette. It really sucks be cause I have done a lot of work on my car and wanted to keep it.

 

I can certainly identify with your frustration... I have done a fair amount of work on my car as well, and I really feel betrayed by Acura. So what in the Toyota line in the way of a sport coupe do you suggest? I don't see the Solara in the same category with only 225HP. Lexus is a pretty big jump in price and I still don't think that the performance is on par. So far it looks like the only decent competition for the CLS is in the Nissan lineup with the 350Z or the G35.

I am open to suggestions...

 

Wow... I had no idea that the French were involved with Nissan. What I was told by the the Infiniti dealer was that all Infinity cars were made in Japan (not true of Nissan)... and I know it is not true of Honda. While I can understand your distrust of the French... I also feel like I can't trust Honda who has refused to address a serious transmission problem for five years (2000 to 2004). We have two Acura's in our family and you can imagine how pissed off I was when my wife came home tonight with the engine light on in her TL.

She reminded me that she never had any problems with the Bonneville that she had before.